Police officer pay will increase by seven per cent across all ranks from September 1 after the Government accepted in full the recommendation of the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB).

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye said: “I’m delighted the Prime Minister has accepted in full the recommendations of the Public Sector Pay Review Body, recognising the fantastic work our police officers do every day.

“While this is good news for our officers, I’m keen police staff who play a crucial role supporting colleagues both on the front line and behind the scenes, are similarly also recognised for their efforts.

“We are still awaiting the detail of the pay award, but it is reassuring that the Home Office has indicated additional funding will be provided to support the cost of that increase, which is particularly important for Bedfordshire at a time when our officer numbers are at a record high thanks to the recent Uplift programme to bring in 20,000 additional officers nationally.

“It is vital therefore that this pay award does not come at the cost of reduced services for the public and that we can continue to put extra officers into our communities, and deliver the policing service our communities need.”